Let me start by saying what a magical place Bali is. I have just arrived home after 3 weeks in what was my first and certainly not my last trip to Bali.
We left Melbourne on Air Paradise on what I would call a very pleasant flight, we decided to upgrade to super economy, which gave us plenty of room and an endless service of food and drinks. We had no problems with going through and getting our visa's etc, I know its strange and I had nothing to feel nervous about but my heart was beating a fast pace when I went through, maybe it was the anticipation of what I now know what everyone talks about when they talk about the smell of Bali, you cannot help but notice it, combined with the heat you just feel, yes this is it. We were met at the airport by our transfer's no problems just a slight delay in waiting for other guests, I wont do this next time and I will just get a taxi.
The Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel was great for a mid range hotel this suited our needs perfectly and I can only praise the friendly and amicable staff, they were wonderful. We used the kids club at the suites a few times and my son was really happy to be left there. We used the shuttle bus on a number of occasions to go to the beach, which was set up with lounge chairs, kiosk and equipment hire of every nature, we even hired push bikes one day and went for a lovely ride along the foreshore. We snorkelled, hired a boat, had massages on the beach it was just lovely. We also spent days relaxing by the pool being waited on by the wonderful staff. The juices were amazing and the beer, I am not a beer drinker but I have to say I could not get enough of the Bintang beer.
I wont bore you with everything we did, however I will highlight some things that I think are worth mentioning.
We went to the Ubud and stayed at the Tegal Sari - what a place just perfect, the staff cannot do enough for you. We went to Zen Spa and had a 5 hour pamper package - highly recommend this they were fantastic. Found a great wholesale silver place close to the Tegal Sari that sells beautiful jellewery and really reasonable prices, in fact I found the shopping in Ubud fantastic.
The shopping in Bali generally is fantastic, I came home with 15 pairs of shoes, bought mostly from a shoe shop in the Discovery Plaza and Centro, I just couldn't help myself. I also bought some beautiful skirts and shirts from a place in sanur and had heaps of things made from Alus tailors, Asri is just fantastic and will design anything that want, I took quite a bit of material with me and had some beautiful evening dresses made. I also had two suites made both with trousers and a skirt, I am wearing one at the moment and everyone is commenting on it. Had a red leather coat made at Dolphine Leather just beautiful. I also bought seven hand bags, yes mostly copies but the really good copies real leather, yes I paid a bit more but its worth it. I bought watches, sunglass, and my son's entire summer wardrobe from Mataharis. Needless to say our suitcases were over but we didn't get charged excess baggage.
The Water bomb park was so much fun I ended up going on most of the slides and I tell you that is saying something, I have never laughed so much, it was great just being a kid again. It was clean, well run and the food so cheap, however I did feel as though I was in Australia again! Well worth going.
We hired a driver the majority of the time, Gede, he was friendly, kind and loves to have a joke, I would highly recommend him. He took us to Lovina and Amed, on separate days, it was good to see these places as next time I would like to stay longer in each place.
We went to the Elephant park, which was ok, took our son on the elephant ride which he loved but I have to say I wont do this again.
The food was fantastic, we ate at some great places and at some not so great places, Massimo's in Sanur was fantastic for Italian food, the lotus pond was great, aroma's café for lunch, Celsius café for great coffee and not to mention Poppies, I just loved this place and it seems to be an institution for most Australians.
We had massages, manicures, facials, pedicures you name it we had it, it was peaceful, busy, relaxing and so magical, the Balinese are beautiful, and though they do not have much to me they have everything, it was a wonderful holiday and I am already thinking about next year, I will definitely go back, and back and back.
Thank you to everyone who answered my questions and queries this site is fantastic and I will also check in to read with (envy) everyone's take on their trip to the majestic beautiful place Bali.
Cheers
Fransina